Baku: An international event dedicated to World Environment Day (WED) has commenced at the Heydar Aliyev Center, with Azerbaijan serving as the host.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the event is organized under the slogan 'Inspired by Nature. For the Climate. For Our Future.' and is part of a partnership between the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Environment Programme.

At the event, Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues, read out an address from President Ilham Aliyev to the participants. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Rashad Ismayilov, delivered a speech highlighting Azerbaijan's active participation in the global environmental agenda and its efforts in international cooperation and environmental protection. The minister also discussed recent work and reforms in Azerbaijan, particularly in waste management.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), expressed appreciation for Azerbaijan's hosting of the event and discussed the necessary actions for environmental progress. Video messages from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme Anacl¡udia Rossbach, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Simon Stiell, and COP31 President-designate and Turkey's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum were also presented.

Serbia's Minister of Environmental Protection, Sara Pavkov, lauded Azerbaijan's organization of the event and noted its exemplary hosting as an inspiration for future organizers, including Serbia, which will host World Environment Day and EXPO 2027. She also discussed Serbia's environmental initiatives and goals for the upcoming year.

The opening ceremony concluded with an artistic program, marking the beginning of this significant international event focused on environmental issues.